For Immediate Release
Contact: Starla McDermott
Guiding Light, 616.451.0236, ext. 20
or
Mary Ann Sabo
Sabo PR, 616.485.1432
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jan. 4, 2021 – Kyle Hinton, a licensed marriage and family therapist addressing trauma, substance abuse, behavioral health and mental health, has joined Guiding Light’s board of directors.
Hinton brings 30 years of experience working in mental health services and serving in leadership roles in higher education, nonprofit work and community involvement. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Hinton helps individuals work through a wide range of issues and create a new lifestyle of hope, health and life-changing opportunities.
“Kyle’s background is an incredible asset for our recovery community and aligns with our holistic approach to partnering with individuals to fulfill their God-given potential,” said Stuart P. Ray, Guiding Light executive director. “Kyle has invaluable knowledge and experience of helping individuals work through substance abuse issues, family reunification and re-engagement in the work force – all of which complement Guiding Light’s mission. We are so pleased to welcome Kyle to the board and greatly appreciate his insights.”
Hinton serves the community through a variety of roles. As executive director of his private practice, Hinton Counseling LLC, he offers individual, group and family counseling, as well as training and workshops for professionals. He also serves as executive director of New Visions Counseling, a nonprofit through which he provides counseling to those referred by the Kent County 17th Circuit Court’s Drug Court and 61st District Drug and Sobriety Court’s Sobriety Court.
Hinton also contracts with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide assessments, treatment plans and counseling to individuals and families referred by the Department and to Child Protective Services.
During his career, Hinton has also worked as adjunct clinical faculty for Grand Valley State University’s College of Community and Public Service, as a therapist, program supervisor, staff mentor and curriculum developer for Arbor Circle’s Parent Nurturing Services and has contracted with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services as part of the Michigan Prison Re-Entry Initiative, among other roles.
Heavily involved in the community, Hinton serves on the Promise of Hope Board of Directors, Kent County Dads Count! Community Coalition and Strong Fathers of Kent County Committee. He also volunteers with Alpha Beta Omega, a leadership development program, at Grand Rapids Community College.
“My personal mission to ‘do the footwork’ not only leads me through my own continued growth and development, but has brought me to believe that being chosen to pay it forward is an extension of that mission,” said Hinton. “I am honored to have been selected to serve my community through Guiding Light.”
Hinton earned his master’s degree in family life education and completed a graduate certificate program in alcohol and drug abuse at Western Michigan University, a master’s in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from GVSU and an associate degree in general studies from GRCC. In addition, Hinton also holds applicable licensing and certifications in his field.
To learn more about Guiding Light’s board of directors, visit guidinglightworks.org.
About Guiding Light
Founded in 1929 as the West Fulton St. Mission, Guiding Light has grown into a robust recovery and re-engagement community designed to help those living at society’s margins fulfill their God-given potential. The nonprofit has been building on a near century of compassion and celebrated 90 years of serving Grand Rapids in 2019. Through its Back to Work, Recovery and Iron House programs, Guiding Light works with men struggling with addiction and homelessness to return to society. Since 2017, Guiding Light has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, which underscores our commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, visit guidinglightworks.org.
